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Three Injured in Shooting Targeting Family of Murdered 9-Year-Old Tyrese Short (UPDATE)

Update: Yesterday, we reported on a drive-by shooting in north St. Louis that sent three people to the hospital with serious injuries. Our original coverage is below. New reports today reveal that the individuals targeted in this shooting are the grieving family members of Tyrese Short, the nine-year-old boy who was shot and killed while inside a car with his father and family friends two weeks ago.

The shooting on Tuesday early evening happened on the 1800 block of Switzer Avenue in the city's North Pointe neighborhood. This is the same block where the young boy lived, and family members say they don't know who is targeting them or why.

"We have no enemies. We have nothing but love coming from here. We are praying for understanding," Sherritha Short, the boy's aunt who lives on that block, says.

The Post-Dispatch made the connection today and reports that police are investigating how the two incidents may be related.

As we reported yesterday, police listed five victims in the Tuesday shooting, including three hospitalized: A 22-year-old female was found with "multiple contusions and abrasions on her face and forearm." A 24-year-old male was found nearby on the 8500 block of Goodfellow Boulevard, suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower jaw. And a nineteen-year-old male was hit in the shoulder and neck.

Two weeks earlier, the young boy was shot in the head while sitting in the passenger seat of a car, according to police, who believe that the father or another male in the car might have been the intended target.

His aunt tells the paper that her children can't even go out and play anymore.

"It's not fair to them," she says. "They now have to live in fear and dodge bullets."

Police have not yet apprehended any suspects or made arrests in the death of the nine-year-old boy.

Three people were sent to the hospital yesterday with serious injuries after unknown suspects fired bullets at a north St. Louis home, police say.

The shooting happened on the 1800 block of Switzer Avenue in the city's North Pointe neighborhood at around 6:30 p.m. When officers arrived, they identified five victims -- three who had been hit with bullets.

A nineteen-year-old male was hit in the shoulder and neck. A 22-year-old female was found with "multiple contusions and abrasions on her face and forearm," police say. And a 24-year-old male was found nearby on the 8500 block of Goodfellow Boulevard, suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower jaw.

Three three victims were taken to the hospital where they were listed in serious, but stable condition, police say. Two others -- a sixteen-year old male and 22-year-old female -- were in the home at the time of the shooting, but were not hit, officials note.

via Google Maps

Switzer Avenue.

Cops believe the "unknown suspects" drove by the residence and began firing at the group. They drove off in a grey Chevrolet Cruz with dark tinted windows, police say.

Here's the full incident report from metro police.

Incident: Assault 1st (Shooting)
Location: 1800 block of Switzer
Date/Time: 07/23/13 @ 18:35
Victim #1: 19-year old black male
Victim #2: 24-year old black male
Victim #3: 22-year old black female
Victim #4: 16-year old black male
Victim #5: 22-year old black female
Suspect(s): Unknown
Officers responded to a call for a shooting at the above location. Victim #1 was located at a residence suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder and neck. Victim #3 was also located at the residence with multiple contusions and abrasions on her face and forearm. Victim #2 was located in the 8500 block of Goodfellow suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower jaw. Victim #1, Victim #2, and Victim #2 were all conveyed to a local hospital and listed in serious/stable condition. Victim #4 and Victim #5 were uninjured. Investigation revealed that unknown suspects drove by the above residence and began firing at the persons outside. The suspects were reported driving a grey Chevrolet Cruz with dark tinted windows. The investigation is ongoing.